The Louis Vuitton Trophy was organised after the success of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland and the continued legal battle surrounding the America's Cup yachting competition at the time.

Because of the long delays from the legal action, and the fact that the 33rd America's Cup became a Deed of Gift match without a defender or challenger selection series, the Louis Vuitton Trophy series was established as a competition for other America's Cup racing syndicates.

[1] Five syndicates lent their own International America's Cup Class boats for shared use in the regattas, making participation more affordable for the teams.

San Diego submitted a bid for a sixth, March 2011 event,[1] while various cities/countries (Russia, Greece, Newport, Valencia, Cape Town and Abu Dhabi) expressed an interest in bidding for future Trophy regattas.

All events used International America's Cup Class yachts, lent to the regatta by various syndicates.